3 Ways to Improve Gut Health for Families (Especially Kids and Moms)

Sounds weird till you read the science and think about how humans used to live.

In honor of that, we wanted to put together some simple tips for those with kids or who are thinking about having kids one day. One of the saddest statistics I’ve heard in the last few years is that today’s generation of kids are likely to be the first to DIE sooner than their parents.

Good thing it’s just a prediction and we have plenty of time to change it.

Here’s three simple steps to get your kids’ gut health stronger:

Put the Bristol Stool Chart on the Fridge (and bathroom)

Have an Abundance of Fermented Foods on Hand

Let the Kids Play in the Dirt Outside (and don’t worry)

Simple and effective is what parents want and these tips deliver. Will you try them?

Let’s Make Poop Fun and Normal Again

Our poop is “speaking to us” and giving us clues. If we pay close attention and track the quality of our poop, these clues can serve as signs of great or poor gut health.

Poop is currently more taboo than sex. And it’s sad. We all do it and it’s valuable info for detection of health issues. Let’s make it normal and fun again to poop.

Kids Love Fermented Foods if You Do

You know kids will love and develop a passion for what yours are. That’s the beauty and curse of being a parent.

The idea that kids don’t like fermented foods is a total myth. Show me a kid who “hates” all fermented foods and I’ll show you a household that doesn’t value them, have them around often or whose role models don’t eat them often.

Sure there are exceptions. This is a long game play, especially depending on the age of the children. It’s sometimes a 5 year plan. But that shouldn’t deter you because I hope you’re planning to eat them every day anyways.

If you’re not sure where to start, fermented foods like SCD yogurt, kimchee, kefir, and sauerkraut are where we’d urge you to put most of your focus in the long-run. In this video, Jordan explains the importance of including fermented foods in your diet.

Hopefully you understand by now that daily ingestion of probiotics from food or supplements is a great way to keep inflammation low, the immune system well-trained and gut lining healthy.

Not every kid is going to love fermented foods, but trust them. Kids have been shown in studies to eat what they need and not what they don’t for growth and development. Make the kitchen an exploration of fermented foods, make them at home, mess it up and use it to teach the whole time.

Their health and yours will keep getting better.

Dirt, it Does a Body Good

What kid doesn’t love to play in the sand box? Kids love to express their creative sides and they seem to love to get dirty. Unfortunately, western society’s view on this activity has changed to bad. (There are all kinds of bad bugs, dirty things and we should clean the kids as soon as possible.)

Not only could this send a mixed message to the kids, but more and more science is coming out showing just how healthy getting dirty is. In fact, our addiction to cleanliness could actually be causing our sickness.

See, soil contains millions of species of beneficial microbes, especially in the upper section of soil directly affected by roots. This is referred to as the rhizosphere. It’s generally well accepted that the next big medical breakthroughs will come from studying the gut microflora. And this idea had to come from somewhere, soil scientists have been fervishly studying the rhizosphere for decades. It has become increasingly clear that plant health is directly affected by the microbial health of the soil and ultimately this leads to increased health on up the food chain.

Surprise, surprise plants need a diverse healthy bacterial community just as much as humans. And this interaction between soil and humans is very important.

There is evidence in the research that shows direct human contact with soil is beneficial to our health. It helps build and modulate the immune system, decrease stress, and more. [1] Specific studies in regards to asthma development support this claim. [2][3] They show that the most beneficial exposure comes at an early age from “farm” bacteria or, gram-negative bacteria and lactobacilli. [2] Exposure to soil bacteria helps to expose the immune system to various pathogens at low levels that actually work to improve the immune system. This exposure helps create a plethora of diverse T cells help “…to ensure optimal balance of immunogenicity and tolerance.” [3]

This basically means that your body is better equipped to kick off the immune response when a foreign invader enters and maintain distinction between self and nonself.

Plus, some side benefits of getting out and playing in the dirt (or even gardening) are increased sunlight exposure, light exercise through moving the body, and having fun and socializing (increased oxytocin). And, to take it back to those asthma studies, some dirt and aerobic exercise are a good combination for facilitating immune development. So, next time you’re looking for something to do, get outside and roll around in the dirt a little and bring the kids.

And for their sake, let them be kids.

Looking for More Health Tips for Kids and Families?

It starts at home, with families and their kids. Jordan and I are so proud of all you amazing parents. The drive and desire you have for your children’s well being is nothing short of astounding.

Perhaps You’re a Woman – A Mom – Looking For Specific Health Tips

If you’re a woman who’s been:

Struggling to lose weight

Has low energy

Has high stress

And wondering if your hormones are wacky?

If so, I’d like to urge you to register for one more free upcoming summit. Don’t worry they are spaced out so you won’t be overwhelmed. Learn about your family first, then women’s health and fitness next.

We had a pretty epic hour-long HD video chat that you’re not going to want to miss.

Register for free here. No fad diets, gimmicks, skipping meals or starving involved. Women have specific hormonal, physical and emotional needs and this event provides a safe and educational place to address them.

These are jam-packed health summits full of health tips that will be sure to help you take action in any area you’re looking to make health improvements.

Remember, knowledge is power but only action brings results. So, keep learning and keep doing!

About Steven Wright

Steve Wright is a health engineer and author. In 2009, he reached a breaking point when IBS took over his life and the doctors didn't know how to help. Since then, he has transformed his health and started SCDLifestyle.com to help others naturally heal stomach problems. You can check out his story here and find him on Google+, Facebook or Twitter.

Is Your Body SecretlySuffering from a Leaky Gut?

Take this 3-minute quiz to find out if you have the #1 problem missed by modern medicine...

One thought on “3 Ways to Improve Gut Health for Families (Especially Kids and Moms)”

Davidsays:

Today’s dirt is not the same as it was when you were a kid, or at least when I was a kid. Although I agree that a little bacteria can be a good thing, lead can be a very bad thing. Especially for kids under the age of six. Degenerated lead paint dust is a contributor but a often forgotten factor was the use of leaded gasoline for so many years. If you live in an urban area or along a busy road or highway the soil around your house may be contaminated. I suggest you keep your little ones hands clean, but stay away from anti-bacterial soap.

The content of our Website and any products sold from this Website is intended for informational purposes only and is not written by medical professionals. Readers should not act upon any information provided on this Website without seeking advice from a licensed physician. This Website is not intended to create a physician-patient relationship between us and any user of this Website.